Abstract

The population-split genetic algorithm (PSGA) was successfully applied to retrieve femtosecond optical fields from interferometric autocorrelation traces. PSGA strikes a balance between diversity and the size of population in the genetic algorithm. As a result, PSGA is less likely prematurely converging to sub-optimal solutions. Theoretical and experimental studies indicate that the PSGA can yield more accurate results in shorter time compared with conventional genetic algorithm and the iterative method.

(a) The target and the retrieved pulse intensities (log plot) and phases of a double-peaked pulse with complicated phase. (b) Error as a function of generation number for PSGA, conventional GA and iterative algorithms.

Dynamic distributions of Genes at generation #3 for (a) PSGA and (b) conventional GA. The red line in Fig. 3(a), which marks the population splitting boundary, separates a region with much regular genetic organization from that with disordered genetic arrangement.

(a) Intensity and phase of a 25-fs pulse train at 90 MHz retrieved by three different algorithms from target interferometric traces shown in Fig. 5. (b) Errors in the retrieved interferometric traces are plotted as a function of generation number for PSGA, conventional GA and iterative algorithm.